Dacarbazine

Generic name: Dacarbazine
Brand names: DTIC-Dome
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (100 mg; 200 mg)
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Usage of Dacarbazine

Dacarbazine is used to treat skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and Hodgkin's disease.

Dacarbazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dacarbazine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dacarbazine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath; or

liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of dacarbazine may include:

loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Dacarbazine

You should not use dacarbazine if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever HAD:

liver disease;

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or

bone marrow suppression.

It is not known whether dacarbazine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using dacarbazine.

Relate drugs

How to use Dacarbazine

Usual Adult Dose for Malignant Melanoma:

2 to 4.5 mg/kg IV once a day for 10 days; repeat every 4 weeks OR250 mg/m2 IV once a day for 5 days; repeat every 3 weeksUse: For metastatic malignant melanoma

Usual Adult Dose for Hodgkin's Disease:

150 mg/m2 IV once a day for 5 days in combination therapy; repeat every 4 weeks OR375 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 in combination therapy; repeat every 15 days Use: For Hodgkin's disease as a second-line therapy when used in combination with other agents

Warnings

Dacarbazine can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, weakness, cough, diarrhea, burning when you urinate).

What other drugs will affect Dacarbazine

Other drugs may affect dacarbazine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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